An Afghan official says Taleban militants have captured a district in southern Kandahar province after several days of fierce fighting.

Kandahar's provincial police chief, Esmatullah Alizai, Tuesday said the Taleban took control of Mian Neshin district late Monday.

Officials said Afghan forces made a tactical decision to withdraw from clashes with militants. They added that authorities are planning an operation to recapture the district.

Elsewhere, in nearby Uruzgan province, fighting continues Tuesday between NATO forces and Taleban militants. Officials say about 60 Taleban insurgents have been killed in the past three days of fighting in the district of Chora.

Afghan authorities say civilians were also killed, but casualty figures could not be verified.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.